Reducing hazards at Red Cross

In 2016 the Australian Red Cross Blood Service introduced a nationwide programme to tackle hazardous manual tasks in both their processing centres and their donor centres.

The Solution

Identifying and controlling the risks

Productivity Matters were engaged in Victoria and New South Wales in both the Processing facilities and Blood Donor Centres over a 6-month basis to engage and identify hazardous manual tasks and collaborate with Australian Red Cross Blood Service Managers and Employees to come up with controls or solutions that would assist in reducing the risks these proposed.

The Outcome

Reduced employees on modified duties

A key outcome of our ergonomists involvement was the establishment of a new job rotation guideline for supervisors and staff of the processing facility that saw a 75% reduction in employees on modified duties. Employees also reported reduced overall discomfort levels because of the job rotation changes.